UJS Press Releases & News
View press releases from and news about the South Dakota Unified Judicial System.
Recent News From UJS
Fourth Circuit DUI Court Graduation to be Held in Deadwood on August 27
Fourth Circuit DUI Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at noon MDT in the upstairs courtroom at the Lawrence County Courthouse, 78 Sherman St., Deadwood.
UJS to Hold Public Forums to Discuss Potential Merger of Fourth and Seventh Judicial Circuits
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) will hold a series of public forums Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, to share information and gather public input on a potential merger of the Fourth and Seventh judicial circuits before any formal rule proposal is submitted to the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Mental Health Court Offers Path Forward for Participants
For some people, entering the criminal justice system can become a cycle that is difficult to break. Mental health court is designed to break that cycle by bringing together judges, attorneys, probation officers, mental health professionals and other service providers to work with participants.
Second Circuit Treatment Courts to Hold Two Graduations in August
Second Circuit Treatment Courts will hold two graduation ceremonies in August.
Brookings County Drug & DUI Court to Hold Graduation on August 20
Brookings County Drug & DUI Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. CDT in Courtroom A (third floor) of the Brookings County Courthouse, 314 Sixth Ave., Brookings.
Interstate Commission for Juveniles State Council to Meet on August 10
The South Dakota State Council for the Interstate Commission for Juveniles will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at 10-11 a.m. CDT.
South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen to Lead Two National Court Organizations
South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen has been named president of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and chair of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) board of directors.
Juvenile Justice Oversight Council to Meet on August 5
The South Dakota Juvenile Justice Oversight Council will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, 3-4 p.m. CDT virtually via Zoom.
Commission on Indigent Legal Services to Meet on July 29
The South Dakota Commission on Indigent Legal Services will meet virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10 a.m. CDT.
Pennington County Drug Court to Hold Graduation on July 29
Pennington County Drug Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to recognize the accomplishments of those completing the program.